The Limehouse Golem by Peter Ackroyd.
London, 1880. A series of gruesome murders attributed to the mysterious 'Limehouse Golem' strikes fear into the heart of the capital. Inspector John Kildare must track down this brutal serial killer in the damp, dark alleyways of riverside London. 
I really really enjoyed this book. I don't normally read historical but I love anything about Jack the ripper type books. 4*.

I loved the blurb of this book and was really looking forward to reading it, sadly however I struggled through it and found it very slow moving.

As much as I tried to read this strange book, I have had to admit defeat. I’m sure it’s very cleverly written, but I got about one quarter of the way through it, and came to the realisation that I was not enjoying it at all, so what was the point in continuing? I normally read before going to bed, so that didn’t help. Too gruesome for me, with no relief.

I'm afraid I really struggled with this book. Unsure whether that was due to the very slow pace of the tale, or the actual story. Maybe due to not being my usual genre.

The blurb gives out all the necessary information about this book, leaving some mystery for the reader to figure out. The star of this novel is Lizzie Cree, an actress and a wife of well-known reporter John Cree. This novel is told from multiple perspectives: Lizzie’s life story, “Limehouse Golem’s” thoughts during the killings, and other character’s views and life stories. The most interesting to me was Lizzie’s life story, I think that were the most interesting, complex parts of this novel. I am really grateful that Peter Ackroyd added the murderer’s thoughts to this book. Even though they were really graphic, I found it interesting to have an insight into what’s happening in a psychopath's head. There is a wide variety of characters to choose from in this book, and I think that everybody can find their favourite. My pick would be Lizzie, she is such a well composed and intriguing character …
The narrative of this novel was very well written and researched. I did enjoy the story which author was sharing with the reader, however, there were many philosophical parts in this book, which I found boring and unnecessary. It reminded me of all the dull books I had to read while in school, so I just skim read those parts. I would like to throw in a disclaimer, that there are graphic violent parts in this book, and it is not suitable for sensitive readers.
The writing style of this book is impeccable. Peter Ackroyd is a master of his craft and truly gifted writer. This novel was first published in 1994, but it feels like it was written in the 19th century. I could clearly see author’s knowledge in this book because it was shining through the pages. The language used in this novel was very sophisticated but not very difficult to read, and the chapters where decent length, so it did not leave me bored. I really enjoyed the ending of this novel, I think it was well deserved and rounded up the story very nicely.

Elizabeth Cree was thirty-one years old when she was hanged in Camberwell Prison on 6th April 1881.

When savage and fiendish murders happen in the London district of Limehouse, the public are appalled and frightened, and the perpetrator becomes known as the Limehouse Golem. Golem is the medieval Jewish word for an artificial being or a thing without form, and hence the Golem grew in the folklore of the time and district.

The story is littered with extracts from Elizabeth’s trial for the murder of her husband, John Cree, by way of poisoning. There are also extracts of the Golem’s diary interspersed within the book.

Having made her way in the theatre after the death of her mother, ‘Lambeth Marsh Lizzie’ met John when he was a journalist for the local paper and they were soon married. Although a rich woman after her marriage, Lizzie still hankered for the smell of the greasepaint and the relative fame and notoriety which she had enjoyed.

I must confess that I felt that the book contained too many off-shoots for me to focus on the plot itself. Karl Marx, Charles Babbage and Oscar Wilde all make appearances, and whilst they were certainly around at the time in which the book is set, I am not sure that they help the flow of the story.

Originally titled ‘Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem’ and published in 1994, ‘The Limehouse Golem’ came out in cinema form in 2016, starring Bill Nighy.

Despite sharing the name – Sméagol/Gollum/Golem – I do not feel that I am able to give more than 3 stars.

Sméagol

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

This is such an atmospheric novel, you really feel yourself back in those Victorian days. Really intriguing, I absolutely loved it!

Elizabeth Cree is publically hanged and it reverts back through her 31 years until she allegedly poisoned her husband, was charged and hanged. I found the format a little disjointed and complex. What I most liked about this novel was the language of the era it was written - such perfect prose that it gave the ambience of a classic. I understand it will be made into a film and it's similar to the Jack the Ripper theme. The atmosphere of Victorian London was excellently depicted in detail especially with the smells and it vividly paints the picture of abject poverty and low-lives. Disease, death, poor sanitary conditions, filth, fog and prostitution. Commendable historical detail. Then there's the dark underbelly of London of thieves and murderers. In contrast is the gaiety of the theatre. At one stage I was transported to my youth when I used to watch "The Good Old Days" on BBC. I shall post this to Amazon, GoodReads and my blog. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Vintage for the chance to read it.

I absolutely loved this book! Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read it..
As I seem to live in a cultural black hole,seeing the Limehouse Golem on the big screen is not an option. So I was deligted to find out that it was a book and also to have the chance to read it.
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This a quite a complex story, so I am interested to see how it translates to the big screen.

It starts with the impending death of Elizabeth Cree aka Lizzie. Charged with the murder of her husband John Cree, the reader is taken back to her childhood, her first days of freedom and her life on the boards performing as everyone but herself.

Other than the Victorian setting, the other aspect of this murder mystery with a gothic vibe, is the deliberate confusion about who the guilty party is. We are given a tour of the mind of the Golem, often during the brutal killings. Then there are the incidents Lizzie is involved in, and let’s not forget what happens after Lizzie meets her unfortunate end. (Sorry, you will have to read all about it)

My point is, Ackroyd leaves the reader with a certain question of doubt. Is the ‘Golem’ really responsible or is Lizzie more than a determined young woman with a troubled past? Is everything as it seems, and what are the chances of different killers coming into contact with each other?

The story gives the reader a great taste of life in the music-halls, the streets of London, and the bawdy entertainment that brightened up the bleary and tough era. Ackroyd brings a macabre and twisted flavour to the bleakness of the setting. It’s all about the killing, and yet at the same time it has nothing to do with it at all.

The Limehouse Golem is my favourite kind of novel, historical fiction with a murderous theme!

London, the early 1880's and Elizabeth Cree is about to hang for the murder of her husband, John Cree. We are quickly introduced to Mrs Cree and her spectacular fall from grace from one of London's brightest theatre/music hall stars, to convicted murder.

But there isn't only one murder in question here. London has been terrified of late by a ripper-esque figure known only as the 'Limehouse Golem'. Brutal murders and dismemberment are the Golem's thing and Detectives are pulling their hair out looking for their perpetrator.

Elizabeth Cree's story is interlinked cleverly with the diaries of her murdered husband, John Cree and they provide a fascinating insight into their lives together and what they do whilst they are apart. But can they be trusted, and is all as it seems?

Alongside newspaper headlines and scenes from the courtroom, the Limehouse Golem sets the scene beautifully for Mrs Cree's demise. Whether she is guilty or not you will need to judge for yourself...

The Limehouse Golem is a dark murderous novel with gothic undertones. It has recently been made into a film, and actually for once, I am quite excited to see how Hollywood have treated this brilliant book!

Sorry just not my style. I wonder if the movie is better.

The Limehouse Golem begins with convicted poisoner Elizabeth Cree set to hang in Camberwell Prison for the murder of her husband, John Cree. We then go back through time to read the story of how she arrived at this unfortunate point at just 31 years.

The famously foggy streets of late Victorian London are the backdrop for this macabre tale, and with the titular serial killer, the Jack the Ripper style 'Limehouse Golem' on the loose, the killings are getting stranger and more gruesome, bodies are stacking up, famous characters from history are being called in for questioning and the community is terrified.

The tales are drawn together through snippets from Elizabeth's trial and the inauspicious start she had in life, to treading the boards in the music halls she loved so dearly and the strange little family she made for herself there. We also read excerpts from the Limehouse Golem's diary entries, which leave little, if anything to the imagination.

I'm a big fan of Victorian thrillers, and although I found it a little hard to get into at first, in this novel, Peter Ackroyd has captured the dirty, unfeeling, uncaring poverty-ridden streets of Victorian London perfectly – you can almost smell the stench and feel the grime under your nails. The grotesque nature of the music halls, the little value placed on human life and the futility of trying to survive in a place that seems to be out to get you really comes through.

This has recently been made into a film and if it is true to the book, should be a blockbuster. If you like your Victorian crime gritty, evocative and with a twist, then this is a book for you.

I was in two minds whether i wanted to read this novel or not, but so glad that i decided to do so. I love a good murder mystery and although a little slow to start, i soon found myself finding it hard to put the book down. I am a Londoner and as a youngster, my late grandparents used to share stories of life in Victorian London. Have always been fascinated with 'Jack the Ripper' and this book reminded me so much of the Ripper. Not sure whether I will get to see the movie at the cinema, but hopefully it will sooner or later make it's way on TV.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. This is my honest review.

Oooh I love a Victorian murder mystery - the pea soupers, the squalor set against the finery, the madness and the scheming and this didn't disappoint. I missed this the first time around, so I was thrilled to get the chance to read it before seeing the film. It took a while to get into the way the book was written - there's movement across time and place, but it quickly falls into place, The Golem of the title is a ripper-like shaddow, stalking the good people of Victorian London and wreaking terror amongst the populus. No spoilers here - if you enjoy a good Victorian murder mystery pastiche, then made this your next read as the Autumn mists roll in.

A good walk through the Victorian era with it gruesomeness and atmosphere. There is prostitution, poverty and death. This is a well researched and thought out book. It is just not written in a style that I can warm to.

I will be honest - I really didnt want to be reading this book... somehow I managed to find it on my NetGalley list although I dont recall requesting it!

The book was a slow start for me - with language suitable to the era it was set in which meant it was not an easy read. However the plot soon speeds up and this turns into a great murder mystery / historical study.

It simply loses ones star because the descriptions of the theatre and shows became tedious and too long was spent describing theatrical pieces and scripts.

Whilst reading this book one could not help but think of Jack the Ripper. Set in Victorian London the reader is witness to all the negativity associated with poverty; death, disease, prostitution and a world where it is difficult to improve one’s lot. This is set against a background of an emerging more scientific world where Babbage is developing his calculating machine which is the forerunner to a computer and Karl Marx haunts the British Library while he develops his theories about society and economics. All shrouded in the ever present fog which permeates through the cramped, mean alleys and streets of London.

The opening pages introduce Elizabeth Cree accused and convicted of the murder of her husband who mounts the steps of her scaffold to hang for her crime. We learn of Elizabeth’s escape from her mother and how she became involved with the actors and theatrical life in London; how she became famous and how she met and married her husband. Interspersed with the history of Elizabeth we discover a series of horrific murders told from the perspective of the murderer and also about the victims themselves.

Generally I enjoy books that offer different perspectives or points of view, but I found this incredibly confusing and was on the verge of abandoning the book at several points. However, I am glad I persevered as the latter chapters seemed to be more focused and therefore made sense of what went before.

Undoubtedly well-written and more than a little clever, atmospheric and informative, but ultimately not a book I would read again.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Peter Ackroyd takes us into the grim reality of late 19th century London where we read of a series of increasingly macabre murders. In stark contrast there is the world of comedy, as played out in local theatres, where crowds, both rich and poor, find escape, colour and laughter. Amongst these theatre-goers is "little Lizzie", a young lass of 17 who spends her last pennies watching Dan Leno, a renowned comic performer of the period. Luck steps in and Lizzie gets to work in the theatre - gradually working her way up the billing. She marries a reviewer and seems set for the good life as Elizabeth Cree but then fate, and murder, intervene.
Peter Ackroyd certainly builds a convincing narrative pointing the finger of blame at Elizabeth. We read some of the verbatim reports of Elizabeth Cree's trial as reported in the Press at the time, we are even party to her last confession to the priest. But did she really carry out the crime and, if so, was there perhaps justice in her committing the murder? You'll have to read this excellent book before you can answer that question.

I first started to read this book about twenty years ago when it was originally published as Dan Leno and The Limehouse Golem. Then I didn’t really care for it, but over the years the books I choose to read are a lot darker and when the publisher asked if I would like to review I decided to try again. I am happy to say, that this time round I liked the novel much more. So much so that after finishing it yesterday morning, I then went to the cinema to watch the film adaptation. And now I want to reread the book. It’s safe to say I’m a fan!
It is incredibly dark. London isn’t romanticised in anyway. You see the poverty, the prostitution, the death and disease. I could taste the fog, the description of ‘miner’s phlegm’ was a strong indication of how damaging it must have been to health. We’ve probably all seen photographs of Victorian London shrouded in mist but I’ve never thought what it must be like to live in.
There are plenty of violent scenes combined with the scenes from the theatre, both of which are present throughout the entire novel. You see the story from a few points of view which gets a little confusing and it was only in the last quarter that I started to see what was happening.
It’s not a book that has many likeable characters, some are factual some fictional and the only moralistic person was Karl Marx who was saddened by a friend’s death. Everybody else was unfeeling and self-obsessed.
After rereading this novel for the second time I will be interested in reading more by Peter Ackroyd.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.